Information storage medium and method of recording/reproducing the same

ABSTRACT

An information storage medium has user data areas and additional data areas, and sync patterns to distinguish the additional data areas from the user data areas. The information storage medium includes a user data area in which user data is recorded and an additional data area located in at least one of areas before and after the user data area. Second sync patterns used in the additional data area are different from first sync patterns used in the user data area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/600,032filed on Nov. 16, 2006, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/673,402 filed on Sep. 30, 2003, and claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 2002-78167 filed on Dec. 10, 2002, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information storage medium havinguser data areas and additional data areas and a method of reproducinginformation recorded on the information storage medium, and moreparticularly, to an information storage medium having an improvedstructure in which user data areas are distinguished from additionaldata areas and a method of recording information thereon and/orreproducing information from the information storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Optical discs are generally used as information storage media of opticalpickup devices which record information on and/or reproduce informationfrom the optical discs without contacting the optical discs. Opticaldiscs are classified as either compact discs (CDs) or digital versatilediscs (DVDs) according to their information recording capacity. Opticaldiscs can also be classified as either recordable discs or read-onlydiscs according to their recording potential. Here, the recordable discsinclude 650 MB CD-Rs, CD-RWs, 4.7 GB DVD+R/RWs, DVD-random accessmemories (DVD-RAMs), DVD-R/RWs, and so forth. The read-only discsinclude 650 MB CDs, 4.7 GB DVD-ROMs, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates the data structure of a recordable informationstorage medium such as a CD-R or a CD-RW. Referring to FIG. 1, therecordable information storage medium includes user data areas A andadditional data areas B located before and after the user data areas A.Here, the user data areas A are physical clusters in which data isrecorded. The additional data areas B are divided into run-in areas andrun-out areas.

The additional data areas B serve as spare areas in which data can berecorded even when a recording position of the information storagemedium is changed with a variation in the speed of a spindle motorduring rotating of the information storage medium on a turntable.

In a case where a read-only information storage medium is manufacturedaccording to the above-described format, the read-only informationstorage medium is required to have the same structure as the recordableinformation storage medium so as to have reproduction compatibility in adrive and a format consistent with the recordable information storagemedium. In other words, the read-only information storage medium has astructure including user data areas A and additional data areas B. Here,the additional data areas B are located before and after the user dataareas A and must have the same length as the run-in areas and therun-out areas described with reference to FIG. 1. In this case, theadditional data areas B have to be separated from the user data areas A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The present invention provides an information storage medium having userdata areas and additional data areas, and sync patterns to distinguishthe additional data areas from the user data areas, and a method ofrecording information on and/or reproducing information from the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an information storagemedium includes a user data area in which user data is recorded and anadditional data area located in at least one of areas before and afterthe user data area, where second sync patterns used in the additionaldata area are different from first sync patterns used in the user dataarea.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofrecording information on and/or reproducing information from aninformation storage medium includes preparing user data area in whichuser data is recorded and an additional data area located in at leastone of areas before and after the user data area, where second syncpatterns used in the additional data area are formed differently fromfirst sync patterns used in the user data area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates the data structure of a conventional recordableinformation storage medium such as a CD-R or a CD-RW;

FIG. 2 illustrates the data structure of a recording unit of aninformation storage medium according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the data structure of the information storage medium;and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elementsthroughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain thepresent invention by referring to the figures.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an information storage medium according toan embodiment of the present invention includes user data areas C inwhich user data is recorded and additional data areas D located beforeand/or after the user data areas C. The information storage medium maybe a recordable information storage medium or a read-only informationstorage medium.

Each of the user data areas C contains a plurality of user data 11separated by a plurality of first sync patterns 13. According to anaspect of the invention, the user data areas C include error correctingcode (ECC) recording units.

Each of the additional data areas D contains a plurality of additionaldata 21 separated by a plurality of second sync patterns 23. Here, aswill be explained later, the first sync patterns 13 have modulationcodes corresponding to sync numbers shown in Tables 1 and 2 and areformed by combining predetermined selected sync numbers. The second syncpatterns 23 are formed of predetermined type of patterns denoted byreference numerals 23 a and 23 b according to the same method as theplurality of first sync patterns 13.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second sync patterns 23 aredifferent from the first sync patterns 13. In other words, the secondsync patterns 23 are formed of patterns which are not used as the firstsync patterns 13. By forming the second sync patterns 23 to be differentfrom the first sync patterns 13, a reproducing system such as that shownin FIG. 4 can manage the additional data areas D by being able todifferentiate the additional data areas D, with certainty, from the userdata areas C.

The number of second sync patterns 23 depends on the length of theadditional data areas D. It is preferable, but not required, that thesecond sync patterns 23 are arranged at equal intervals in order toincrease an effective additional data efficiency of the additional dataareas D. In addition, sync data can be easily restored duringreproducing.

While not required, according to an aspect of the invention, the size ofeach of the plurality of user data 11 in the user data areas C is equalto a size of each of the plurality of additional data 21 in theadditional data areas D. This structure can be realized by adjusting thepositions of the second sync patterns 23.

It is preferable, but not required, that the entire size of additionaldata 21 in the additional data areas D be integer multiples of the sized1 of user data 11 recorded between two adjacent first sync patterns 13a and 13 b. In other words, referring to FIG. 2, the size d2 ofadditional data 21 recorded between two adjacent second sync patterns 23a and 23 b is equal to the size d1 of the user data 11 recorded betweenfirst sync patterns 13 a, 13 b, and the additional data 21 are recordedin two parts of each of the additional data areas D. Thus, the totalsize of the additional data 21 is an integer multiple of (i.e., is twicethe size of) the size d1 of the user data 11. As a result, since syncsignals are detected at regular intervals in all areas duringreproducing of data, it is advantageous to restore the sync signals.

The structure of the information storage medium using arun-length-limited (RLL) (d, k) code will be described below. The RLLcode indicates how many bits of value “0” exist between two bits ofvalue “1”. Thus, the RLL (d, k) code represents that the minimum numberd and the maximum number k of bits of value “0” between two bits ofvalue “1”, respectively.

In the structure using the RLL (d, k) code, the first sync patterns 13generally include sync bodies that do not satisfy the RLL (d, k) codeand sync identifications (IDs) that satisfy the RLL (d, k) code. Inother words, the sync bodies have a run length k+i, where i is aninteger that is greater than or equal to “1”. The sync IDs containdifferent patterns to distinguish N different sync patterns.

The second sync patterns 23 include sync bodies that do not satisfy theRLL (d, k) code and sync IDs that satisfy the RLL (d, k) code. The syncIDs contain different patterns to distinguish N different sync patterns.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the data structure of an informationstorage medium including additional data areas D each having twoadditional data frames. Sync bodies and sync IDs of the informationstorage medium having the above data structure are shown in Tables 1 and2 below.

As can be seen in Table 1, a RLL (1,7) code is used. Each sync body has18 bits, and each sync ID has 6 bits. The user data area C includes 9user data frames for sync data, and the additional data area D includestwo user data frames for sync data. TABLE 1 Sync 6-Bit No. 18-Bit SyncBody Sync ID Remark 0 001 001 010 000 000 010 000 0001 User Data Area 1001 001 010 000 000 010 010 010 Sync Data 2 001 001 010 000 000 010 101000 3 001 001 010 000 000 010 100 001 4 001 001 010 000 000 010 000 1005 001 001 010 000 000 010 001 001 6 001 001 010 000 000 010 010 101 7001 001 010 000 000 010 010 000 8 001 001 010 000 000 010 101 010 9 001001 010 000 000 010 100 101 Additional Data Area 10 001 001 010 000 000010 101 001 Sync Data

As can be seen in Table 2, a RLL (2,10) code is used. Each sync body has22 bits, and each sync ID has 10 bits. The user data area C includes 7user data frames for sync data, and the additional data area D includes2 user data frames for sync data. TABLE 2 Sync No. 22-Bit Sync Body10-Bit Sync ID Remark 0 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 010 001 000 1 UserData Area 1 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 000 100 100 1 Sync Data 2 100001 000 000 000 000 010 0 010 000 010 0 3 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0001 000 000 0 4 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 100 100 100 0 5 100 001000 000 000 000 010 0 010 000 100 0 6 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 000010 000 0 7 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 010 001 000 1 Additional DataArea 8 100 001 000 000 000 000 010 0 010 010 010 0 Sync Data

As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the sync data in the additional data D areahas different patterns as compared to the sync data in the user dataarea C. In other words, the sync IDs of the second sync patterns 23 havesync patterns not used as the first sync patterns 13. Therefore, theadditional data areas D can be managed and can be distinctlydifferentiated from the user data areas C.

A method of recording information on and/or reproducing information fromthe information storage medium having the above-described structure willbe described. As shown in FIG. 2, the user data areas C including basicECC recording blocks and the additional data areas D located beforeand/or after the user data areas C are prepared in the informationstorage medium. Next, the second sync patterns 23 used in the additionaldata areas D are formed differently from the first sync patterns 13 usedin the user data areas C.

Here, the second sync patterns 23 are plural and arranged at equalintervals. It is preferable, but not required, that the second syncpatterns 23 are arranged in the additional data areas D so that the sizeof each of user data 11 in the user data areas C is equal to the size ofeach of additional data 21 in the additional data areas D.

Sync data in the additional data areas D contains sync bodies havingsecond sync patterns that do not comply with the RLL (d, k) code andsync IDs having second sync patterns that comply with the RLL (d, k)code. The total size of additional data 21 in the additional data areasD is an integer multiple of the size of user data 11 recorded betweentwo first sync patterns 13 a and 13 b.

As described above, an information storage medium and a method ofrecording information thereon and/or reproducing information therefromaccording to the present invention can maintain consistency with theformats of different types of recordable information storage media andhave reproduction compatibility in a drive.

Also, since sync patterns used in user data areas can be formeddifferently from sync patterns used in additional data areas, theadditional data areas can be further efficiently separated from the userdata areas.

Furthermore, by uniformly maintaining the length of data recorded in theuser data areas and the additional data areas, sync signals can bedetected at regular intervals in all areas during reproducing of data.Thus, it is advantageous to restore the sync signals.

While not specifically so limited, it is understood that the informationstorage medium can include the CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-RWs, DVD-RAMs,DVD+RWs, as well as next generation high definition DVDs, such asBlu-ray discs, Advanced Optical Discs (AODs) and other optical storagemedia not listed above and/or to be developed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.4, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes arecording/reading unit 1001, a controller 1002, and a memory 1003. Therecording/reading unit 1001 records data on a disc 1000, which is anembodiment of an information storage medium of the present invention,and reads the data from the disc 1000. The controller 1002 records andreproduces the user data 11 and the additional data 21 according to thepresent invention as set forth above in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3.

While not required in all aspects, it is understood that the controller1002 can be a computer implementing the method using a computer programencoded on a computer readable medium. The computer can be implementedas a chip having firmware, or can be a general or special purposecomputer programmable to perform the method.

In addition, it is understood that, in order to achieve a recordingcapacity of several dozen gigabytes, the recording/reading unit 1001could include a low wavelength, high numerical aperture type unit usableto record dozens of gigabytes of data on the disc 1000. Examples of suchunits include, but are not limited to, those units using lightwavelengths of 405 nm and having numerical apertures of 0.85, thoseunits compatible with Blu-ray discs, and/or those units compatible withAdvanced Optical Discs (AODs).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims andequivalents thereof.

1. An information storage medium for use with a recording and/orreproducing apparatus, the information storage medium comprising: anadditional data area comprising: a first sub additional data areacomprising a first sync pattern; and a second sub additional data areacomprising a second sync pattern; and a data area comprising a pluralityof sub data areas, each of the sub data areas comprising a correspondingsync pattern; wherein: the first sync pattern is different from thesecond sync pattern; the corresponding sync pattern of each of the subdata areas is different from the first sync pattern and the second syncpattern to enable the apparatus to distinguish the additional data areafrom the data area when the information storage medium is used with theapparatus; and a size of the first sub additional data area is equal toa size of one of the sub data areas.
 2. The information storage mediumof claim 1, wherein the additional data area provides compatibilityamong information storage media having different formats for use withthe apparatus.
 3. A reproducing apparatus for use with an informationstorage medium, the information storage medium comprising an additionaldata area comprising a first sub additional data area comprising a firstsync pattern, and a second sub additional data area comprising a secondsync pattern; and a data area comprising a plurality of sub data areas,each of the sub data areas comprising a corresponding sync pattern;wherein the first sync pattern is different from the second syncpattern; the corresponding sync pattern of each of the sub data areas isdifferent from the first sync pattern and the second sync pattern toenable the apparatus to distinguish the additional data area from thedata area when the information storage medium is used with theapparatus; and a size of the first sub additional data area is equal toa size of one of the sub data areas; the apparatus comprising: a pickupto emit light onto the information storage medium; and a controller tocontrol the pickup to reproduce data recorded in the data area.
 4. Thereproducing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the additional data areaprovides compatibility among information storage media having differentformats for use with the apparatus.
 5. A method of reproducinginformation from an information storage medium, the information storagemedium comprising an additional data area comprising a first subadditional data area comprising a first sync pattern, and a second subadditional data area comprising a second sync pattern; and a data areacomprising a plurality of sub data areas, each of the sub data areascomprising a corresponding sync pattern; wherein the first sync patternis different from the second sync pattern; the corresponding syncpattern of each of the sub data areas is different from the first syncpattern and the second sync pattern to enable the additional data areato be distinguished from the data area; and a size of the first subadditional data area is equal to a size of one of the sub data areas;the method comprising: reproducing the first sync pattern and/or thesecond sync pattern; and reproducing data recorded in the data area. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the additional data area providescompatibility among information storage media having different formats.